Peter Tureski, a lifelong resident of Southampton, died at his home on Prospect Street on July 31. He was 90.
Born on Halsey Avenue in Southampton on August 13, 1923, to the late Paul and Katherine Marchuk Tureski, he was the second oldest of five children. He graduated from Southampton High School and, in 1943, enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving until 1946.
World War II was a defining experience in Mr. Tureski’s life. He arrived in Normandy two weeks after the D-Day invasion of June 1944. He saw combat in four military campaigns—Normandy, the Rhineland, Northern France and the Bastogne—in which 93,000 men were killed. “How the hell did I survive all that?” he once said.
After the war, Mr. Tureski returned to Southampton, where he started a house-painting business with his late brother, Ted. He met his late wife, the former Catherine Healy, in 1953; they married in 1955, settled in Southampton and had four children.
Mr. Tureski retired in 1984. He spent his golden years tending to his house and business affairs, and dispensing advice to his children. He liked to relax by watching television. His favorite shows were sports programs, especially baseball, football and golf, survivors said.
Mr. Tureski is survived by three brothers, Henry and wife Evelyn of Bridgehampton, Raymond and wife Mary of Southampton, and Paul Tureski of South Carolina; and a sister-in-law, Katherine Tureski of Southampton. He is also survived by three sons, Tim and wife Diane of the Bronx, Denis and wife Catherine of Rocky Point, and Robert and wife Kathy of East Quogue; and a daughter, Carol McGoldrick and husband Tom of Brooklyn; and seven grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services were private.